2 vying for Dem nod in N'burgh's 2nd Ward

CITY OF NEWBURGH — Two residents of Washington Heights, Eugenie Abrams and Roy Leggette, are vying to be the Democratic nominee to represent the newly drawn Ward 2 on the City Council.

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By MICHAEL RANDALL

recordonline.com

By MICHAEL RANDALL

Posted Sep. 6, 2013 at 2:00 AM

By MICHAEL RANDALL

Posted Sep. 6, 2013 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

CITY OF NEWBURGH — Two residents of Washington Heights, Eugenie Abrams and Roy Leggette, are vying to be the Democratic nominee to represent the newly drawn Ward 2 on the City Council.

The ward covers roughly the southeast corner of the city, everything south of Broadway and east of Mill Street and Robinson Avenue.

Abrams, a first-time candidate who said she was encouraged to run by neighbors, said her campaign is focusing on several main issues, including:

Crime: Abrams said the "main function of government is to keep people safe."

Unemployment, especially among black males. On any projects funded by the city or the Newburgh Industrial Development Agency, Abrams would want assurances city residents get their fair share of jobs or work hours.

More opportunities for youth, so they're not sitting around with nothing to do except get in trouble or join gangs.

Abrams also promised transparency in city government: "If I know something, you'll know something," she said.

Leggette also is a first-time candidate, who says, "I don't consider myself a politician," and he comes to the race with no agenda and says if elected he'll work to "help the whole city.

But he did cite several things he'd like to see happen in Ward 2.

One was getting whoever is responsible for maintaining the bluff along Bay View Terrace, where he lives, to trim the trees and brush that block much of the view of the Hudson River now.

He also wants to reopen a community center on Lander Street to provide a place for young people to go, and he called for the city to work with Newburgh schools to develop not only more after-school programs but also evening programs for the children of parents who work night shifts.

Citywide, he'd like to see the Public Works Department create summer job opportunities for young people to tackle maintenance projects.

And he suggested starting a city parade that would highlight Newburgh's many different cultures, to promote unity among the citizens.

"We're one big family, we need to start acting like it," Leggette said.

Both Abrams and Leggette called for a stronger effort to hold landlords responsible for the condition of their properties.

Republicans will not be putting up a candidate for the Ward 2 City Council seat in the Nov. 5 general election.